Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
What do I want for Christmas? It’s complicated. I’m a grown man with a job so I tend to get myself whatever I want, and at the holidays I focus on what others need. But I deserve stuff, too. But when I think of Christmas lists, I think of things that are … extra. My Xmas list is always extra. But shouldn’t it be? Santa is smart enough to pull off the superhuman feat of getting stuff to people all over the world, so surely I can ask for things that aren’t on the menu. So, what do I want for Christmas?
1. Reparations. Black people deserve reparations. America deserves to pay us reparations; this country became a global economic power because of slavery. If Santa is really in the dream-fulfilling business, he should do something meaningful like get us reparations. It’s like ancient Mitch McConnell is the Grinch of reparations, blocking all the good Black boys and girls from getting their money. Well, in this story, Santa somehow transforms Mitch into the Grinch who has learned his lesson and now shares nicely with everyone, even Black folks.
2. One more great album from Lauryn Hill. I still have hope that she’s got one more in her. If she can sing from the heart about her life and everything she’s been through, it could be amazing. She’s been through a lot. And this time, she could have someone videotape her writing all the songs so there’s no confusion about that.
3. I also want one more album of rapping from Andre 3000. My soul needs more of those 3K rhymes.
4. A painting by Deborah Roberts one of my favorite contemporary painters. In many of her pieces, Roberts uses collage in ways that recall the genius Romare Bearden while maintaining Roberts’s own style.
5. $1 million in unmarked, untraceable bills so I don’t have to pay taxes on it or nothing. I don’t need to…
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